The 2026 Betty Amsden Fellowship
Meet the 2026 Fellow: Ciaran Frame
Ciaran Frame is the inaugural recipient of the $100,000 Betty Amsden Fellowship – the largest of its kind backing innovation in performing arts business and operations.
Blending technical expertise with deep sector insight, Ciaran will use the Fellowship to explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be ethically and practically applied to strengthen the operational systems that underpin a thriving creative sector.
“The arts can’t afford to be left behind in the AI revolution. This Fellowship is about providing fundraisers, marketers and producers with the tools and skills to make AI work for them” Ciaran Frame.
The 2026 Fellowship project
The 2026 Betty Amsden Fellow, Ciaran Frame, will investigate how AI can ease pressure on an overstretched performing arts workforce by streamlining grant writing, personalising donor outreach, improving ticketing access and enhancing data-driven marketing. These innovations will help arts organisations simplify audience engagement and boost operational efficiency.
Kickstarting in 2026, over 18 months the Foundation will support Ciaran to undertake a tailored mix of study, cultural exchange and applied learning with the project plan likely to include:
● Study at MIT (USA) on the technical and ethical dimensions of AI
● An international residency focused on cultural and societal impacts
● Secondments in Victorian arts organisations to co-design and test applications
Through the Fellowship, Ciaran aims to:
● Advocate for smarter, more ethical AI adoption across the creative industries
● Identify gaps in digital capability among arts organisations
● Co-create free, open-access tools and resources
● Deliver practical training to empower arts workers at all levels
While AI’s creative potential often takes the spotlight, Ciaran will turn his attention to practical, sector-specific solutions, particularly the back-end systems and operational functions that support a sustainable arts sector.
Fellowship news & updates
